From the Ashes of Angels: The Forbidden Legacy of a Fallen Race

Rating:
Summary: Excellent explanation of a believable thesis
Review: Author Collins takes a curiosity I've long shared -- the comment on the "Sons of God" and the "Daughters of Men" in the Book of Genesis and explodes it into a mystery ten thousand years old and spanning most of Central Asia and ancient Egypt. The very real evidence surrounding the truth of the Nephilim and their sires, whom Collins deems "Watchers," a name etymologically derived, is revealed through archaeological evidence and oral tradition. Collins tracks his elusive quarry to the peaks of Kurdistan, then onward through Asia Minor and thence possibly to Egypt...though I will not give away his excellent reasoning in this review. This book is well worth the read -- it is exciting, thought-provoking, and stunning in its scope and detail.

Furthermore, I feel that I must comment upon the previous (below) reviews here at Amazon: First, Collins is not a religious writer, and his investigation uncovers a very real -- very HUMAN -- origin for "angelic" myths throughout Asian folklore (from which Judaic-Christian-Islamic tradition derives). Thus, it is not fair to dismiss Collins' work simply because it does not adhere to Biblical belief of angels as metaphysical beings. Second, to the reviewer's point that the Nephilim were "evil" and brutal and thus uncivilized, human nature is often both brutal *and* civilized. One can be both advanced -- and thus capable of transmitting culture to less-developed societies -- and yet capable of exploiting those societies as well. And third, more of a nitpick: one reviewer stated that Collins' proposed Watcher culture was located in Khazakhstan, whereas it was located in Kurdistan (modern northeastern Turkiye, northern Syria, and northwestern Iraq).

Rating:
Summary: I LOVE Andrew Collins
Review: First and foremost, you have to be able to put aside what is considered to be mainstream thoughts and beliefs about archeology, human evolution, and the beginnings of this world to even begin to enjoy Mr. Collins' fine work. His work is set up to help you question, think and most importantly, challenge the norm. From the Ashes of Angels is no different. Admittedly, some of the chapters repeat previously mentioned information, but it's organized to help even the most ingrained, stubborn believer in seeing that there is more to our past than what's found in the history books. In fact, history books don't even cover 1/10th of the truth. Remember, history is written by the victor's and I believe that most of Collins' work sees both sides, presents it in a concise and easy to follow package and allows the reader to make his/her own mind up. As for me, the proof is all there, you only have to open your eyes to it. As for those who believe that this book, or any of Collins' books aren't worth the read, you're entitled to your opinion. However, back up your comments with some actual proof or facts. I'm tired of reading reviews that only blame the author when the reader is not willing to see past their own bias to expand their knowledge base. So reader beware, you will have to put aside your belief system and reach beyond what you already know to truly grasp this work. Isn't that what learning is all about? You have the choice to believe in what's written, but walk into it with heart and mind open. Andrew Collins doesn't disprove the bible or the stories therein as some of the reviews have alluded to, but rather helps validate events in the book. Collins does go one step farther by showing how folklore and oral traditions twist facts over time. Really, did anyone believe that angels were visable only in pre-historic times? I think that Mr. Collins should be commended for his open, fresh and enticing thoughts on our belief structures and where they originated. Not a book for the weak of mind or stubborn of heart. If you're interested in learning and exploring the origins of angels, nephalim, and such, then BUY A COPY NOW! By the time you put this book down, you will realize that our twisted beliefs started somewhere, and there is much more to our history than what is in the history books. Enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: Very worthwhile but I'll stick with Sitchin..
Review: For those familiar with the explorations of alternative archaelogists the word "nephilim" should be no new acquaintance. The debate about their origin though seems to carry on and on.
Andrew Collins has delivered here an extraordinary book when one considers the painstaking research he's invested in it. I do feel however, that he's probably arrived to the wrong conclusions.
Collins professes that the Nephilim were the giant offspring of a preancient gigantic humanlike being that mated with humans and his research focuses on the Watchers (the Nephilim's ancestors) and the territories they lived. Remarkably, if not shockingly, he arrives at the conclusion that the Watchers originated somewhere in ancient Kazahkstan but he fails to explain their strange (to put it very mildly) features: burning, sometimes red eyes, massive in size compared to humans and with very possibly "special qualities, which again humans did not and do not, possess.
What makes this book great -whether you agree or not with its conclusions- is that the trek it takes you for is full of priceless revelations and a plethora of incredible facts ranging from Asia to eastern Europe to northern Africa, revelations and facts that will put certain questions in a new perspective while they leave others still open.
I, for one, dont agree with the final analysis of "From the Ashes of Angels" but was astounded with what i read in it.There were certain things i read for the very first time allthough i spend quite a lot of my reading on alternative archaelogy. That should speak for itself.
On the downside, the back and forths in time that Collins uses in his book work mostly to a disadvantage as the reader finds it difficult to keep up with the historical references, or for that matter, to keep up with what Collins is trying to argumentate. This has to do mostly with the bulk of information provided (and this is one serious bulk of data) than with the technique of writting itself.
I found myself comparing notes in my head with Sitchin's findings on this matter and i thought that Sitchin makes a better more convincing argument alltogether.
However, Collins is a must-read as his other works are just as interesting and he makes a tremendous contribution to the field of alternative history.

Rating:
Summary: i now have to go by his other books. hope they are as good.
Review: i cant say enough about this book. i trusted his documentation and his work seemed to be done very carefully and in a very scientifically controlled manner in terms of not making grand assumptions without full documentation of theory. It was also a good read. I think he showed that you could relax a little to make something a good read but still keep your integrity in terms of looking at research objectively without too heavy of a hand. Extremely interesting. I am very interested in learning Sumerian and even sanskrit now. I wanted to call him up and tell him how much I liked it!! I am sure he would have loved it.

Anyway, I recommend it and I have ordered a couple of his others.

Rating:
Summary: Looking for books
Review: I have not as of yet read any of these books but in looking at and reading the synopsis on some of them this makes me very much want to do so, so with that I would like to ask if there is anyone out there that has an extra copy of them that they can send me - I checked out one of Zecharia Sitchin's books at a library a while back but had difficulty getting through it:
But here's the ones that I would like to read:

The lost book of Enki - Zecharia Sitchin
Gods of the new millenium - Alan Alford
The Phoenix Solution - Alan Alford
From the Ashes of Angels - Andrew Collins

If you have an extra copy sent to:
Dennis
PO Box 2783
Newport Beach CA 92659

Rating:
Summary: Watchers As Human Benefactors
Review: I wanted to give this book one star, but, I think the huge amount of research employed merits it at least two. It could however easily have got five only for its poor analysis of the evidence presented. Andrew Collins biggest mistake in my opinion is that he doesn't want to say anything thats out of step with the "academic view" - he even says it himself.

In his effort to distance himself from any theological position and make himself, as if it were, acceptable to mainstream academic thought, he constructs the greatest shoe-string argument I've ever seen. I don't understand why some people feel the need to write books with one hand tied behind their backs.

The book starts brilliantly and continues well for the first 200 pages but then the prejudices he brought into the book start to close him in and in the end its a bit of an anti-climax. He seems to be very unaware - (maybe intentionally unaware) of the biblical evidence; he mentions Gen:6v1-4, and Og of Bashan, but doesn't explore the cryptic teem running through the bible, he doesn't explore Josephus either.

However, he can't be faulted for his research into minority religions in the Iran-Iraq-Kurdistan area and the tentitive links to an Eygptian elder culture, the colossal structures such as the sphinx and the valley temples might well be what remains of the "mighty men of old...the men of renown", even though he never says it.

Rating:
Summary: A Slight Disappointment
Review: In the massive information database we have today, there is really too much conjecture.

I found this book satisfying in that it delivers on one promise: it brings out information about the ancient past that opens up questions. I found it less than satisfying in that it does little to amplify on what is otherwise available. Although I would recommend the book as a curiosity, I find it difficult to recommend for serious students of ancient cultures.

Rating:
Summary: Ashes of Angels
Review: This book gets two stars just because it doesn't have any mathematical equations in it. I found this to be a a methodical explanation of the authors thinking process. A little too methodical at times and there were occassions when my mind wandered ahead of content. Reading this book I got to wishing that these authors(you know who you are)would remember that their audience has already taken the leap of faith and we no longer require the painful and boring scientific detail of how you got to thinking this way. More meat and less potatoes please.

Rating:
Summary: An intriguing speculation.
Review: This book is fascinating. Few authors explore the ramifications ,implications and echoes of a myth whit the skill and intellectual honesty that Andrew Collins displays here,admitting he has very few and feeble proofs sustaining his hypotheses.The myth of Fallen Angels could well be the reminiscence of facts of ancient and near forgotten history. I'm sorry,then, to see him plunge in the mire of Egyptomania, and the absolutely unwarranted assertion that the Sphynx is the product of an alleged and absolutely unattested for "Ancient Superadvanced Civilization". If they existed at all, the "Watchers",tall,blonde and fair-skinned are much more likely to come from Ukraina through now drowned lands of the Black Sea than Egypt.Anyway,I think so. Still, Andrew Collins' is a remarkable book.

Rating:
Summary: Watchers As Human Benefactors
Review: While this book is an interesting read, most of this author's conclusions are either flawed or completely wrong. The watchers were neither human nor harbingers of civilization. For anyone who has studied this subject to any degree, and know what they're looking for, the ancient sources are filled with references to the nephilim and the watchers. In these works they are not portrayed as enlightened beings. They were war mongering powerseekers, both vengeful and cruel. Their offspring the nephilim were no less evil, they were marauding pillagers, cannibals and rapists to boot. They are hardly fit to be called sentient beings let alone "cilivizers". The Judeao-Christian sources are some of the few that tell of their true origin. The books of Enoch and the book of Genesis called them the Sons Of God because they were originally angelic beings prior to their fall. All the angels in the Bible, the Pseudepigrapha and the apocrypha are always described as male. My question for this author would be: If the watchers were just another race of advanced humans; where were the Daughters of God? Were they at home cooking while the sons cohabitated with the daughters of men? No, the watchers were spirit beings that became physical and this is exactly how they are described in the book of Enoch and in all the patristic writings. Why else would the watchers have reacted to women in the way they did unless they were completely new to fleshly desires and to the sight of human women.
The advanced human hypothesis does not explain their physical differences either. It is important that anyone who studies this subject seriously to know the truth of the matter and this author doesn't provide it. I give this book three stars for the authors effort and the use of unique sources, though it probably deserves a lower number. Some more accurate books are available by other authors such as Chuck Missler and Steve Quayle, but it's probably better to go to the sources themselves.

Since it appears to be necessary to spell out my point for certain readers, I will state emphatically that after studying the sources themselves and having more than a passing *new age* interest in the subject, the present state of human evil has its roots and can be traced to this so-called enlightened race. An amusing part of this book is when the author ties the watchers in with the occult, the author doesn't catch the irony. It would be odd to think that a subject found only in religious writings would have no religious connotations. The studies of John Keel and F.W. Holiday are available if you need non-religious corroboration of the metaphysical nature of aliens, the loch ness monster and the like.